Abati on Obasanjo’s letter: Only thing missing is an apology for helping bring ‘change’

Reuben Abati, former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo left out one thing in his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abati said Obasanjo should have apologised to Nigerians for playing a role in Buhari’s emergence as president.

In the letter, Obasanjo asked the president to retire from public office and forget about seeking re-election.

He also accused him of nepotism and condoning corrupt practices committed by his allies.

Speaking on a Channels TV programme on Tuesday night, Abati said the letter came at a time when Nigerians were waiting for Obasanjo’s assessment of the Buhari-led administration.

“Before now, many Nigerians had been waiting on the former president Olusegun Obasanjo to say something about this administration and he has chosen his time very well to come out and do a full assessment of the administration so far,” he said.

“If you look at that letter, it drips with frustration, disappointment, even regret.

“The only thing president Obasanjo does not do in that letter is to apologise to Nigerians but he admitted that he was part of the efforts to bring about change in 2015 and he not only supported the incumbent president, he also voted for him and now he says he is disappointed.”

Abati said Obasanjo’s views in the letter may not be different from the standpoint of most Nigerians.

He added: “The letter probably reflects certain levels of consensus within society because you know of late, a lot of people have been saying some of the things that president Obasanjo said in that letter but coming from Obasanjo, those statements acquire a special significance and resonance both locally and I believe, internationally.”